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Acer shape

rachael.hardman.905BEP0jaKrachael.hardman.905BEP0jaK Posts: 1
in Plants
Hello, I have a ~2 year old acer and it’s growing in quite a strange shape, with two main branches. I read that you shouldn’t do too much pruning but I’m a bit worried about what will eventually happen to my acer- will the two branches be too heavy etc? What would you do, or do you think it’s ok? Thanks!  

Posts

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    Not looking ideal is it.

    I think you have a couple of options- 
    Either prune here - which should produce 2 new shoots from the horizontal branches


    or here which should force the bud just below to break and form a new main shoot

    Either way it's best to prune in winter as they can bleed quite a bit of sap if pruned during the growing season.



    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • Allotment BoyAllotment Boy Posts: 6,774
    Yes if you are going to prune heavily,  it will need to be in winter. You could trim some of the thin growth at the end of the branches now. This may encourage buds to break further back. It would take several seasons to get  a better shape this way , but it would be safer keeping some top growth going.
    Not easy either way.
    AB Still learning

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